Watch CBS News

Police: Jackson No "Smooth Criminal"

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A man taken into custody after a high tech sting in Ft. Lauderdale appeared before a judge Monday morning.

Bond was set at $10,000 for 21-year old Michael Jackson. He was then ordered to be held without bond for two previous charges.

Police set up the sting operation after a after a rash of vehicle break-ins at the Beach Place parking garage.

Investigators parked a decoy vehicle in the garage, at 17 South State Road A1A, which was loaded with video surveillance, an alarm, and SmartWater CSI.

Ft. Lauderdale police have been using SmartWater CSI, a crime fighting spray, since the beginning of the year.

When the alarm is triggered, the SmartWater CSI chemical is released and it leaves a harmless stain on skin and clothes. The spray is similar to DNA – in that it's unique to each customer.

Saturday morning around 8:40 a.m. the vehicle's alarm went off. Arriving officers found it had been burglarized and the SmartWater CSI had been deployed.

Detectives with the Property Crimes department viewed the surveillance images and identified their suspect as Michael Jackson, according to police.

"A department-wide BOLO {Be on the Lookout} was sent out to alert the officers of the suspect. Detectives were able to utilize a black light to detect the SmartWater presence all over the suspect's clothing and skin," explained Detective DeAnna Greenlaw of the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department.

Jackson was arrested and charged with one count of Burglary Unoccupied Conveyance.  Police say he told them he was looking for something to eat.   He's currently being held at the Broward County Jail.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.